Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Calvary, Marion County, Kentucky, was populated with early Catholic settlers who came to this Rolling Fork area shortly after 1790.  Revolutionary War soldiers, originally from Maryland, that are buried in the old cemetery are John Barton Abell, Henry Hudson Wathen and Benedict Spalding.  Samuel Abell IV, another soldier, died in 1795 before the cemetery was created.

Being my home county, I am very familiar with this parish and area.  Some of my best friends in school came from Calvary.  I’ve played for many weddings in this church.  Below is a list of members of the Abell family buried in the old portion of the cemetery – at the top of the knoll and across a small footbridge from today’s cemetery.  You do have to watch your footing – the bridge is not as sturdy as it used to be!

• Wife of Enoch Abell, March 14, 1795 – April 12, 1862
• Allethaire Abell, 1753-1815
• Anne Abell, December 28, 1860 – July 22, 1865, daughter of G. W. and M. J. Abell
• Pray for the Soul of Bernard Abell, June 29, 1789 – July 25, 1856, son of Joshua Abell
• Calistus Abell, October 14, 1810 – December 14, 1872

• Clarissa A. Abell, July 24, 1788 – August 25, 1856, wife of Bernard Abell
• Eliza A. Abell, 1809 – March 2, 1851, wife of James Abell

• Elizabeth Abell, October 15, 1795 – February 28, 1859, wife of Robert Abell
• Enoch Abell, September 9, 1784 – September 24, 1855

• Francis Abell, October 28, 1814 – January 17, 1882.  ‘No pompous marble to thy name we raise.  This humble stone bespeaks thy praise.  Parental fondness did thy life attend, a tender Father and faithful friend.’
• Francis T. Abell, October 7, 1876 – August 9, 1883, son of G. W. and M. J. Abell
• Harriet Abell, 1821 – March 9, 1859, wife of Nace
• Harriet Ann Abell, June 1, 1834 – September 2, 1855
• Harriet E. Abell, 1817 – February 20, 1836
• James Abell, January 15, 1809 – November 1, 1876

• Jessa Abell, September 15, 1778 – March 10, 1846

• John Barton Abell, 1755 – 1820
• John M. Abell, December 15, 1838 – May 17, 1877, son of G. W. & M. J. Abell

• Joseph Abell, October 10, 1795 – August 13, 1863
• Louies Austin Abell, October 26, 1817 – March 7, 1855
• Margaret Abell, 1759 – February 19, 1818, wife of Robert Abell
• Margaret Abell, died October 1805, daughter of Robert and Margaret Abell
• Maria J. Abell, September 20, 1835 – June 22, 1875, wife of H. A. Abell
• Martha Abell, September 15, 1798 – August 22, 1875, wife of Joseph Abell
• Martha J. Abell, December 1, 1838 – Mary 17, 1877, wife of G. W. Abell

• Mary Abell, June 7, 1812 – October 21, 1886

• Mary E. Abell, April 4, 1806 – June 11, 1894, wife of Calistus Abell
• Mary Jane Abell, July 6, 1825 – October 3, 1847, wife of John Abell
• Mrs. Mary Ann Abell, February 22, 1810 – November 10, 1833, daughter of R. and C. Forrest
• Robert Abell, 1756 – September 13, 1802
• Susan Abell, August 18, 1785 – August 5, 1847, wife of Jessa
• Susan E. Abell, December 28, 1839 – April 11, 1860
• Terecy Abell, March 22, 1799 – June 10, 1851
• William L. Abell, September 9, 1850 – December 13, 1852, son of William & M. Abell

At the top of the knoll, before entering the old cemetery section, is a plot of broken and damaged stones.  What an excellent idea!  Much better than throwing the stones to the side!  Many of these pieces are very readable, with names and dates listed.

I hope you have enjoyed this short visit to Holy Name of Mary Cemetery!  I have many more photos we took during our visit – both from the old and new sections of the cemetery.  And these I will share with you on another day!